Terms in Office: Two, April 30th, 1789 Westmoreland, Virginia-March 4th, 1797 Mount Vernon, Virginia.
Vice President: John Adams, both terms
Thematic Context:
Washington shaped the foundations of the United States in 1789 when he became the First President. The American culture changed throughout his terms in office as the government structure took hold. The judiciary act signed by Washington on September 24th 1789 which gave way to a new justice system. The act entitled "An Act to Establish the Judicial Courts of the United States" created a Supreme Court, then gave congress the ability to create lower federal courts as they deemed fit. America now had a system in place to manage misdemeanors and felonies, creating a more stable and suitable country (Primary). Washington further changed American culture in August 3rd, 1795 when the Treaty of Greenville was signed. Washington prior had sent General Wayne and 2500 men to Ohio to further expand the nation. The Battle of Fallen Timbers reigned supreme, and Wayne was victorious (Treaty). Washington had successfully expanded the nation, leading to increased trade and commerce.
Thesis:
Washington earned an A-. Throughout his efforts to expand and define America he was able to successfully head the government structure while maintaining balance with the people. Washington later urged congress to establish ammendments to the constitution allowing "a reverence for the characteristic rights of freemen and a regard for public harmony" later resulting in the 10 ammendments known as the Bill of Rights (Bill). American culture changed rapidly throughout this imprtant growth period as America became independant.
Goals:
Washington's goals proclaimed in his inauguration were to protect the new structured government, to keep the new nation out of debt, to expand the new nation, and to keep out of foreign affairs. The juristiction of the courts created the position of Attorney General, the head of the us dept. of Justice (Attorney). The court system signed into law by Washington is still enacted today. After the revolutionary war (won by Washington) there were enormous war debts to be paid. Washington sought help from Alexander Hamilton, and through the Alexander Hamilton Program, America was able to stand on it's feet. Expanding the country was essential for growth. Washington sent General Wayne after two failed attempts to batttle with Indians for the land known today as Ohio. General Wayne along with 2500 other men conquered and the Treaty of Greenille was signed on August 3rd 1794. By proclaiming the Declaration of Neutrality Washington avoided international conflict. Washington was thus able to accomplish his goals as president.
Congress and the President:
Washington did not belong to a political party, as there were none at the time, however he was of federalist beleief. Washington kept balance by keeping America's best interest at hand. Washington set the Bill of Rights into motion, while also helping in setting up the justice system along with federal oaths, the US patent, the Bank of the United States, th US copyright, the United States Mint, and a newly revised Act of Neutralization. Legislation vetoed by Washington included Congrressional Legislation. For example the Apportionment Bill on April 5th 1792, and "A bill to alter and amend the An Act entitled' An Act to ascertain and fix the military establishment of the United States" February 28th 1797 (Papers).
Positive and Negative Outcomes:
Washington's most positive outcome would be the Declaration of Neutrality because it ensured the un-involvement of the new nation in any foregin affaris which might cause a rift in the growth of the new nation. Pursuing wars in other countries and other international conflicts would have been costly for America. As far as money the nation was already in debt to France. America also needed population growth to match it's land growth, they couldn't lose valuable people in this important period of growth. Washingtons most negative outcome was Jay's Treaty. Allowing Great Britain to ascertain American Ships believed to be carrying goods to opposing countries. The Treaty consequently allowed Great Britain to take men and goods to increase their navy and power (Documents).
Future Impact:
Washington helped the nation in it's first steps and modeled what a president should do for the nations best interest. The justice system for example is still in use, and greatly impacted the culture of the nation. The Bill of Rights even more greatly impacted the future of America, by granting basic human rights to citizens. Such as Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, and Freedom of the press (U.S.).
Conclusion:
In conclusion Washinton earned an A- for his impact on America as President. Washington clearly changed the culture of America by refining and setting in place a structured justice system. America's culture also changed when the Bill of Rights was enacted as well as all legislation which set forth a guide in whcih ti abide by. Before Washington America was separated, and throughout his time Washington was able to connect the nation through the promise of growth and independance.
February 22, 1732-December 14, 1799
Political Party: N/A, Federalist Belief
Terms in Office: Two, April 30th, 1789 Westmoreland, Virginia-March 4th, 1797 Mount Vernon, Virginia.
Vice President: John Adams, both terms
Thematic Context:
Washington shaped the foundations of the United States in 1789 when he became the First President. The American culture changed throughout his terms in office as the government structure took hold. The judiciary act signed by Washington on September 24th 1789 which gave way to a new justice system. The act entitled "An Act to Establish the Judicial Courts of the United States" created a Supreme Court, then gave congress the ability to create lower federal courts as they deemed fit. America now had a system in place to manage misdemeanors and felonies, creating a more stable and suitable country (Primary). Washington further changed American culture in August 3rd, 1795 when the Treaty of Greenville was signed. Washington prior had sent General Wayne and 2500 men to Ohio to further expand the nation. The Battle of Fallen Timbers reigned supreme, and Wayne was victorious (Treaty). Washington had successfully expanded the nation, leading to increased trade and commerce.
Thesis:
Washington earned an A-. Throughout his efforts to expand and define America he was able to successfully head the government structure while maintaining balance with the people. Washington later urged congress to establish ammendments to the constitution allowing "a reverence for the characteristic rights of freemen and a regard for public harmony" later resulting in the 10 ammendments known as the Bill of Rights (Bill). American culture changed rapidly throughout this imprtant growth period as America became independant.
Goals:
Washington's goals proclaimed in his inauguration were to protect the new structured government, to keep the new nation out of debt, to expand the new nation, and to keep out of foreign affairs. The juristiction of the courts created the position of Attorney General, the head of the us dept. of Justice (Attorney). The court system signed into law by Washington is still enacted today. After the revolutionary war (won by Washington) there were enormous war debts to be paid. Washington sought help from Alexander Hamilton, and through the Alexander Hamilton Program, America was able to stand on it's feet. Expanding the country was essential for growth. Washington sent General Wayne after two failed attempts to batttle with Indians for the land known today as Ohio. General Wayne along with 2500 other men conquered and the Treaty of Greenille was signed on August 3rd 1794. By proclaiming the Declaration of Neutrality Washington avoided international conflict. Washington was thus able to accomplish his goals as president.
Congress and the President:
Washington did not belong to a political party, as there were none at the time, however he was of federalist beleief. Washington kept balance by keeping America's best interest at hand. Washington set the Bill of Rights into motion, while also helping in setting up the justice system along with federal oaths, the US patent, the Bank of the United States, th US copyright, the United States Mint, and a newly revised Act of Neutralization. Legislation vetoed by Washington included Congrressional Legislation. For example the Apportionment Bill on April 5th 1792, and "A bill to alter and amend the An Act entitled' An Act to ascertain and fix the military establishment of the United States" February 28th 1797 (Papers).
Positive and Negative Outcomes:
Washington's most positive outcome would be the Declaration of Neutrality because it ensured the un-involvement of the new nation in any foregin affaris which might cause a rift in the growth of the new nation. Pursuing wars in other countries and other international conflicts would have been costly for America. As far as money the nation was already in debt to France. America also needed population growth to match it's land growth, they couldn't lose valuable people in this important period of growth. Washingtons most negative outcome was Jay's Treaty. Allowing Great Britain to ascertain American Ships believed to be carrying goods to opposing countries. The Treaty consequently allowed Great Britain to take men and goods to increase their navy and power (Documents).
Future Impact:
Washington helped the nation in it's first steps and modeled what a president should do for the nations best interest. The justice system for example is still in use, and greatly impacted the culture of the nation. The Bill of Rights even more greatly impacted the future of America, by granting basic human rights to citizens. Such as Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, and Freedom of the press (U.S.).
Conclusion:
In conclusion Washinton earned an A- for his impact on America as President. Washington clearly changed the culture of America by refining and setting in place a structured justice system. America's culture also changed when the Bill of Rights was enacted as well as all legislation which set forth a guide in whcih ti abide by. Before Washington America was separated, and throughout his time Washington was able to connect the nation through the promise of growth and independance.
Bibliography:
Works Cited
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"The Bill of Rights." The Bill of Rights. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2012. <http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/freedom/bill/>.
"Papers of George Washington." Papers of George Washington. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2012. <http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/documents/presidential/veto.html>.
"Primary Documents in American History." Jay's Treaty: Primary Documents of American History (Virtual Programs & Services, Library of Congress). N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2012. <http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/jay.html>.
"Primary Documents in American History." Judiciary Act of 1789: Primary Documents of American History (Virtual Programs & Services, Library of Congress). N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2012. <http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/judiciary.html>.
"Primary Documents in American History." Judiciary Act of 1789: Primary Documents of American History (Virtual Programs & Services, Library of Congress). N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2012. <http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/judiciary.html>.
"The Treaty of Greenville." - Milestone Historic Documents. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2012. <http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/milestones/greenville/>.
"U.S. Constitutional Amendments." Constitutional Amendments of the United States. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2012. <http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/constitution/amendments.html>.